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Arson Squad fires back on dirt in Meadowlands Cup

Arson Squad thrived over Meadowlands' dirt (Jessica Denver/Equi-Photo) All it took was a return to dirt for ARSON SQUAD (Brahms) to regain his winning ways. After rating well off the fast early pace in Friday night's $350,000 Meadowlands Cup H. (G2), the five-year-old gelding rallied past the leaders in the stretch to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths, providing new trainer Richard Dutrow his second consecutive victory in the 1 1/8-mile event. Now a three-time Grade 2 winner on natural soil, Arson Squad was making his first dirt start since winning the 2007 Strub S. (G2). He had finished off the board in his last seven starts on synthetic tracks. "I just sat on him and took my time; he's a very nice horse," winning jockey Edgar Prado said. "He's run some good races on the dirt. I guess he just doesn't like the Polytrack." Dutrow echoed those sentiments. "He's just been training awesome since he got here (to New York from California)," Dutrow explained. "He didn't like the synthetic tracks in California, that's why we got him." Arson Squad improved his career earnings to $846,850 from a 19-6-0-3 line. Formerly trained by Bruce Headley, the Pennsylvania-bred captured the 2006 editions of the Swaps S. (G2) and San Pedro S. and placed in the Lazaro Barrera Memorial S. (G2) and Affirmed H. (G3). When every track in Southern California went synthetic following his 1 1/4-length score in the aforementioned Strub, the dark bay struggled mightily at Del Mar, Hollywood Park and Santa Anita while making seven starts in a 13-month period. Arson Squad finally got the opportunity to turn things around on Friday night.

Sent off the near 9-2 third choice in the seven-horse field, Arson Squad settled in sixth under Prado while Timber Reserve (Forest Camp) established early splits in :22 4/5, :45 4/5 and 1:10. The pacesetter was under pressure from 8-5 favorite Past the Point (Indian Charlie), and the early exploits took their toll on the early runners. Arson Squad launched his rally on the far turn and advanced three wide into the stretch. He blew past the leaders and quickly opened up, eventually stopping the teletimer in 1:48 4/5 over the fast track. Anak Nakal (Victory Gallop), who was coming off a victory in the Pennsylvania Derby (G2), closed from last to grab the place, a nose better than Timber Reserve.   

Owned by Jay Em Ess Stable, Arson Squad paid $10.80, $4.80 and $4. Anak Nakal, the 5-1 fourth choice, was good for $6.20 and $3.60, and Timber Reserve totaled $3.20 at 2-1. The exacta returned $56, the trifecta was $171.40 and the 8-4-2-6 superfecta totaled $1,313. Actin Good (Yes It's True), Past the Point, P V Lightening (Sultry Song) and True Resurgence (Yes It's True) rounded out the order of finish. Da' Tara (Tiznow) was scratched.

Bred by E & D Enterprises, Arson Squad was purchased for $100,000 at the 2004 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky sale and is out of the winning Green Dancer mare Majestic Fire, who is also the dam of the stakes-placed gelding Southern Rebel (Southern Halo).

Dutrow said Arson Squad won't run in the Breeders' Cup, which will be held over a synthetic track at Santa Anita, and will instead likely point toward the Clark H. (G2) at Churchill Downs on November 28.

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